Stop motion mechanism for button sewing machines



W. T. MAXANT Aug. 14, 1951 STOP MOTION MECHANISM FOR BUTTON SEWING MACHINES Filed May 5, 1945 '7 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 14, 1951 w. T. MAXANT STOP MOTION MECHANISM FOR BUTTON SEWING MACHINES Filed May 5, 1945.

7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 14, 1951 w. T. MAXANT 2,563,854

STOP MOTION MECHANISM FOR BUTTON SEWING MACHINES Filed May 5, 1945 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 W. T. MAXANT Aug. 14, 1951 STOP MOTION MECHANISM FOR BUTTON SEWING MACHINES Filed May 5, 1945 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 J 6 1 M M 7 6 a w a j J T- lw u f A MN Am 6 i 1 MIL? 1 9 w Qm /w 2 g 4 3w 7/ f4 j w h a": 7 u w z 3 E L My a r h PR 7 Q Pr L ml mm l 1 133 i a :1

Aug. 14, 1951 w. T. MAXANT STOP MOTION MECHANISM FOR BUTTON SEWING MACHINES Filed May 5, 1945 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 14, 1951 W.'T. MAXANT 2,563,854

I STOP MOTION MECHANISM FOR BUTTON SEWING MACHINES Filed May 5, 1945 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Aug. 14, 1951 w. T. M AXANT 2,553,854

STOP MOTION MECHANISM FOR BUTTON SEWING MACHINES Filed May 5, 1945 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 Patented Aug. 14, 1951 UNITED STOP MOTION MECHANISM FOR BUTTON SEWING MACHINES William T. Maxant, Ayer, Mass.

Application May 3, 1945, Serial No. 591,656

This invention relates to improvements in stop motion mechanism for button sewing machines, particularly of the character used for sewing flat buttons on work of various kinds. such as strips of cloth, articles of clothing, and the like. It relates more particularly to machines which are used for attaching either twohole or four-hole buttons thereto by stitching through the eyes of the buttons and the cloth, especially such machines as are operated by power.

One object of the invention is to improve the construction of the stop motion of the machine, whereby the mechanism operates through a predetermined number of stitches, .and then is stopped and held against further sewing operations until the stop motion is released by the operator. This includes a device which holds the machine against rebound operation whereby the power shaft is rotated through the sewing cycle and then stopped, after which the shaft is held against rebound or movement in the opposite direction. The stop motion is released by the operator either by hand or by foot power, as desired. The machine is provided with a hand release control member projecting upwardly through the top plate of the base, and separate means is provided for connection with a foot treadle to effect the release of the stop motion. A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the button sewing machine;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a front end elevation of the machine; Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view thereof in open position, with the machine bed partly in section;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section therethrough generally on the line 5--5 of Fig. .8;

Fig. 6 is a similar view therethrough on the line 66 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical section substantially on the line 1-1 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a similar view on the line 8-8 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 99 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 10' (sheet 3) is a, horizontal section through the thread clamp on the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 11 is a detail section through the threadho'ok mounting on the drive shaft; and

Fig. 12 is a detail perspective View of the drive 7 shaft rebound lock device.

12 Claims. (01. 112-219) in Fig. 3, and with the machine supported on a table, work-bench, or other support, generally designated at S. Accordingly, the machine is constructed with a machine bed designated generally by the numeral l, adapted to be mounted on or secured to the support S. i

A hollow base 2 is connected with the bed I, by pivotal connections 3 (Figs. 2 and 4) for swinging movement of the base 2, away from the bed I to gain access to the operating parts of the machine housed within the base. Normally the base is held in a closed position on. the machine bed I by a thumb screw 4, which extends through an orifice in one side of the base 2 and engages a recess in a lug 5 attached to the bed I, which lug extends upwardly within the base 2, as shown in Fig. 8.

The base frame 2 encloses the principal operating parts of the machine and confines these from entanglement of the .cloth therewith, as well as presenting a more attractive appearance to the machine. The base 2 has a forward extension 6 on the front end thereof over which the button clamp is disposed as hereinafter described, which extension is of appreciably less width than the base (Figs. 2 to 4), to facilitate the manipulation of the articles and access to the button clamp by the operator.

The base 2 also supports the usual upstanding standard 'I fixed on the base, with an arm 8 extending horizontally from the upper end of the standard I, which arm carries the usual sewing head 9 at the free end thereof. These parts are hollow and communicate at their lower end with the base 2. These parts comprising the standard I, arm 8, and sewing head 9 are preferably cast integral and either secured rigidly on the base 2 or cast integral therewith. The outer side of the sewing head 9 is initially open but is enclosed by a cover plate II) which is detachably mounted thereon in the usual manner.

The sewing head 9 has the usual needle bar II mounted therein and guided at the top through a bushing I2 for reciprocating movement vertically through the head 9. The lower end of the needle bar I I carries the usual sewing needle IS. The needle bar II is adapted to be reciprocated sufiiciently far to project the needle I3 into the base extension 6 for cooperating action with sewing instrumentalities contained therein as hereinafter described.

For the purpose of reciprocating the needle bar II axially, this needle bar is connected with one end of a rocker arm I4 (Fig. 9) by means of a clamp I5 secured to the needle bar I I and loosely pivoted to said end of the rocker arm by a short pivoted link. The rocker arm l4 extends lengthwise through the hollow arm 8, and is pivotally mounted at l6 intermediate the ends of said rocker arm for vertical rocking movement on the pivot IE to accomplish the vertical reciprocating movement of the needle bar I I.

The opposite end of the rocker arm hi extends into the space at the upper end of the standard 1 where it'is pivotally connected with the upper end of a pitman H. The pitman ll extends vertically through the standard downward into the base 2, and is adapted to -ber-eeiprocated- -vertically to cause swinging movement of the rocker arm [4 for reciprocating the needle bar H in the head 9.

The lower end of the pitman. ll isinthe form of an eccentric strap i8 (Figs. 4 and 7) which sur rounds an eccentric l9 fixed on a main drive shaft 2!! that extends lengthwise through the base 2. The driveeshaf-tylill .is vjournaled inbearings 2i and M at opposite en'ds'of the base 12 and in a bearing :23 in a transverse partition 23 intermediate the. ends ofthe base. The drive shaft is-connected with the operating parts, of the machine and drives said parts.

At the forwardendthe drive shaft .28 extends through the bearing block .22, at the lower end as viewed in Fig. .4, and has-fixed thereon aholder 24 which issleeved overthe drive shaft (Fig. l1,.sheet 3) and is seeuredthereto by set screws 25 .which..engage inrecesses in theperiphery of the correspondingportion of the drive shaft 2! The holder 24 carries theusual thread looperit fixed thereon by a .stub shaft '26" inserted into the endof the=holder 24 andsecured-thereto by a set screw 25, whereby the looperztwill rotate with the drive .shaft 253. :The mounting of the looper 126011 the holder :24 permits rotation of the lattenrelative to the drive shaft ill-for adj-ustment of the-looper 26, so asto time its operation relative to'the other. operatingparts of the machine, particularly the movement of the needle [3 which coacts with the looper 2,6 to accomplish the stitching action in thema-nner well-known in'theart.

Cooperating with the looper-26 to form the chain stitch in therthread, is a thread deflector 21 ('Fig. 4), which, in the form illustrated, is mounted for oscillatorymovement, being in the shape ofa thread finger fixed on a rockshaft 28 that is journaled in a bushing .29 extending through the-bearing-block 22. The opposite end of therockshaft QaB has-fixed thereto a cam;follower .30 in position to bear upon a cam ill-fixed on the. d-rive shaftzfl and held in operating position therewith by a spring 32. Any suitable thread deflecting meansmay be used for the purposawhich will cooperate with the leoper 26 and-the needle 13 to form the usual chain stitch ordinarily employed in attaching fiat button to the work.

At'the opposite end, the drive shaft 2i] projects through the bushingzl externally ofthe base-2, and has mounted on said-projecting end of the shaft fixed .and free pulleys 33 and 34, respectively, the formerbeing'fixed to the shaft 20 and adapted to receive a drive belt from a suitable source of power. On the extreme end of the. shaft zil is mounted a hand wheel 35 pinned to the shaft for manual turning thereof when desired.

Stop motion mechanism The machine is provided with ashifter yoke,

generally designatedin li ig. l, by the numeral 36,

4 and formed by a pair of shifter arms which em brace opposite sides of the belt and shift the belt from one pulley to the other, either to drive the shaft 20 when the belt engages the pulley 33 or to run free of the shaft on the loose pulley 3s. The shifter yoke 36 is connected with a brake shoe 3! which moves with the yoke and carries a lining 38 fixed to the brake shoe 31 to move the lining into frictional. engagement with the pulley 33, so as to stop the rotation of the pulley and drive shaft 20 when the brake lining 38 is shifted into engagement therewith. The parts are so disposed that thelining will be shifted into engagement withthe pulley 33 when the belt is shifted from this pulley onto the pulley M by axial displacement of the-yoke 36.

Thebrake shoefil extends transversely of the base 2 and is guided at one end on a pin 39. The opposite end of the shoe 3'1 is formed integral with the support which carries the arms forming the shifter-:yolgejfi. This support is mounted rigidly e s onshaftsfi- The top-shaftM extends lengthwise into the base :2 andisguided in bearings and =12 therein for axiaL-movement under the influence of a helical spring .43, which is sleeved over the stop shafted, andbearsat one endagainst the partition 23 extending -transve'rsely. in the base 2 and carrying the bearing s23 and 42. The opposite end of the springer. bears against a stop bumper 35 pinned to the stop shaft 40. The springtfi normallytends to move the stop shaft l9 axially rearwardly (toward the top in Fig. unlessthe.shaft is-anchored' in its operating position as shown therein. x-When movedto its released position,- the .shaftAil willlbe moved upward andearry withit the stop bumper 45 and alsomove the shifter yoke 3.6 to cause the driving-belt to engage the free pulley 3%, which will also stopzthe operation of the machine by the engagement of the brake lining 38 with the pulley '33.

The stop buinper 4:5 also carries a coiled spring it mounted in theien'd .thereof, but projecting slightly therefrom in position to engage a stop finger-fixed to the drive shaft 20. The stop finger 4.1 :is in such position that its transverse vertical plane -of operation will cause it to engagelthestep bum-perJlSwvhen thelatter is moved to its stop positionatcthe completion of a sewing cycle, thus blockin the further rotation'of the drive Shaft 121 until the machine'is re-set.

The stop shaft 40 is adapted to be shifted axially to its locked positionyby means of a hand lever 48 pivotally mounted at (Figs. 7 and 9) in the base 2, so that theupper end of the lever 48 projects above ithe :base in position for convenient reach by thevoperatorgfor manipulation at the startingof-anew-sewing cycle. The lower end portion of the lever 4.8 is bifurcated and engages a pin 50 which projects laterally from the back face of the stoppbumper .45 (see Figs. 4 and 7). Thus upon shifting the hand lever 48 in the direction of .thegarrowin Fig. 9, the stop shaft 49 would be moved to its retracted position,.shown'inFig. l, against the tension of the spring s3, and would be lockediinsaidoperating position foranothersewing cycle. 'Previous ma ohines had two foot pedals, one for raising the clamp and one for starting the machine and inexperienced operators often depressed the wrong pedal, and. instead of lifting the clamp,

they started the machine and-sometimes drove the needle into their finger. 'By having a conveniently locateduhand startleverit lfi, only one pedal needs be used, the one for lifting the clamp, as the starting of the machine can be controlled manuallyat the top of the machine, thus eliminating any danger of prematurely starting the machine and running the needle through the operators finger while she is inserting a button into the clamp.

The machine is also capable of resetting by a treadle, if desired, for which purpose it is provided with a bell crank lever 5|, pivotally mounted at 52 on the base 2. One end of the bell crank lever 5i is slotted and receives therein the pin 58, as shown in Figs. 7 and 9, while the opposite end of the bellcrank lever'5l is connected with a chain 53, extending downwardly through a slot 54 in the bed plate I, and through the table S or other support to a foot treadle (not shown). Upon downward movement of the foot treadle, the bell crank lever 5i would act to move the stop shaft 40 to the left in Fig. 9,'to its re-set position for repeating the sewing cycle, when the main shaft 28 would be free for continued operation. Such a foot treadle may be used if desired, although the same operation may be accomplished by the manual actuation of the hand lever 48.

Provision is made for locking the stop shaft 40 in its retracted or set position. Thisstop shaft 48 is accordingly provided with a block 57, fixed thereon and extending downwardly from the stop shaft in position to be engaged by a stop latch 58 that has a shoulder 59 (see Fig. 9) to engage under the block 51 and hold the latter and the stop shaft 48 in retracted positions The latch 58 has an extended end portion 69 that engages the lower face of the block 51 when the machine is in its blocked or inoperative position; so that the latch 58 will be ready to engage the block 51 again upon movement of thelatter to theleft in Fig. 9, beyond the shoulder 59. The latch is normally drawn upward by a coiled spring 6| connected therewith.

The latch 58 is pivotally supported at 62 on a bracket or casting 63 which is mounted in the base 2. Said latch 58 underlies a transverse arm 84 integral with the bracket 63 and extending transversely therefrom as will be evident from Figs. 4 and 6.

The latch 58 is adapted to be released by a tripper member 65 (Figs. 6 and 8) pivotally mounted at 66 on the transverse arm 64 in a position with one end thereof overlying the latch 58. The opposite end of the tripper member 65 carries a tripper finger 61, which is slotted and adjustable lengthwise relative to the tripper member 65 by an adjusting screw 68 for providing properly timed operation of the machine.

The finger 81 has a down-turned end 69 in position to be engaged by a stud 10 mounted on the upper face of the upper cam ll. Thestud 18 is provided with an inclined face as shown in Fig.8, to ride under the down-turned end 69 of the tripper finger 61 to cause an upward swinging movement of said finger when engaged by the stud which will force the opposite end of the tripper B5 downwardly and cause the latch 58 to be depressed out of latching engagement with the block 51. This will release the stop mechanism and move it forward to its blocking position under the action of the spring 43,

The cams are shown at H and 12, as hereinafter described more in detail. These cams are mounted on a stub shaft 13 integral with a worm gear 14 in mesh with a worm l5 fixed to the main drive shaft 20. The stub shaft 13 is journaled on a pin fixed in the base 2 and extending downwardly therein, and is retained in place by means of a screw 16 (Fig. 4) fixed in the end of the journal pin and retaining the stub shaft thereon.

The upper cam H has a pair of arcuate slots 11 therein through which screws 18 extend into the stub shaft 13 for the adjustment of the cam ll circumferentially, so as to obtain proper timing operation of the button clamp. The cams H and T2 are secured together in their adjusted positions by screws 19 (Fig. 8). A pin extends outwardly from the stub shaft 13 and through orifices in the cams H and 12 to hold the cams in fixed relation.

Rebound stop The shaft 20 is .adapted to be locked also against rebound action upon stopping of the stitching operation. Accordingly, it is provided with a stop collar 8| fixed to the shaft (Figs. 6 and 12), and arranged with a shoulder 8| in position .to engage the offset end of a rebound stop member 82, the opposite end of which is pivoted at83 to the bracket or casting 83. The rebound stop rnember 82 is normally held pressed against the collar 8| by a spring 84 connected with said stop member and extending downwardly therefrom to a fixed point in the base 2.

A positioning strap 85 is fixed at one end to the block. 51, being secured against vertical swinging movement relative to the block. At its opposite end the strap 85 is beveled and said beveled edge underlies the rebound stop member 82, as shown in Fig. 12. The strap member 85 is held in a fixed horizontal position by the block 51 and moves therewith upon shifting of the stop mechanism lengthwise. When the beveled portion of the strap 85 is in position to underlie the rebound stop member 82, the latter may be drawn downward against the collar 8| by the spring 84, but will be held raised out of engagement with the collar when the beveled portion of the strap member 85 is shifted lengthwise beyond the strap member 82, in the position shown in. Fig. 12.

The collar 8| is adjusted circumferentially of the shaft 20 so that the end of the stop member 82 will pass over the shoulder 8| thereof almost simultaneously with the engagement of the stop member 47 with the bumper 45 upon movement of the stop mechanism to its blocking position. Thus the shaft 28 will be locked against rebound action when its continued rotation is blocked by the parts 45-41, and will be held filrmly in its stopped position until the stop mechanism is released for continued operation.

Button clamp The button clamp may be of any suitable or desired character, one form of which is shown merely for purpose of illustration. This clamp is mounted above the base 8 and extends lengthwise thereof over the base extension 5, substan tially as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The clamp comprises a base plate 86 fixed upon the upper face of the base 2 and adjustable lengthwise relative thereto.

Pivotally supported upon the base 86 at one end thereof is a hinge member 81 to which is fixed a top plate 88 that projects forwardly over the base 2 in spaced relation therefrom. The opposite end of the top plate 88 carries a jaw holding plate 89 fixed to the free end thereof, and from which depend downwardly and forwardly directed clamping jaws 88, pivotally connected with the jaw holding plate 89 for-lateral swinging adj u'stment relative to :each other; by ad-J' 11sting devices 191 which are constructed in theusual manner for spreading the clamping jaws-apart ordrawing them together to ,ac commQdate fiat buttons of -difierent.-sizes. Also supported on theforward end of gthebase plate and :projecting forwardly ;over the base extension .6, under the button clamp, .is ;a clamp underj-aw 92 upon which the clamping jaws -90 are adapted tobe seated whenthe button clamp is inits lowered'position. 'Thisunderjaw 92 has an enlarged openin in the forwardend portion thereof-beneath the needle 13, in'zposition toregister with a corresponding openingjnan-nnderlyin plate 93 (Fig.3) carried by the base extension 6.

Provision is made for vibrating the button clamp and the :un'derjaw 9 2,=:both longitudinally and transyersel y relative to the-needle] 3 and the base extension 16 between successive strokes thereof, when'it is desired-to sew four-hole buttons to the cloth; .or'longitudinally only, when it is desired to sew two-holebuttons thereon, so that :the stitches will be caused to pass through theiholes of the button andiinto the cloth =in :a predeterminednumber of needle strokes. 'The button is secured to the .cloth'by chain stitches. Eori'four hol'e buttons, the button should be shifted :soas to present'one :pair of holes and then the other pair of'holes alternately in the pathof the needle, so that the total number of stitches will be divided betweenthe holesof each pair --and'between the respective pairs ofholes during thestitching' cycle. -Accordingly thebaseplate 86 is mounted for sliding-.and swinging movements relative to the topsuriace of the base 2, but :guided .by a-screw -94 and pin sb extending through slots in the base plate 3% and secured to the base 2. The base plate 89 is also pivoted for turning movement about the axisof the screw 94 forswinging the jaws 53G ltransversely relative to the needle l3. These longitudinal and transverse movements of the'buttenclamp are actuated by the cams "l2 and fill respectively.

As shown in Figs. 1, and 4 to6, the base plate 86 has a pin. 96 connected 'th erewithand extending downwardly through a slot 91.'(Fig.5) in the base 2. The lower end of the pin 98 is fixed to a vibratin-g lever 93 intermediate the length thereof, which lever is pivoted at 99 to the under surface of the base 2. Aspring N is connected with the leverflfl--tending=to-Inove said-lever in a forward direction when released. A spring I'lll (Fig. 6) is connected with the cloth plate orunderjaw '92 tending to move the button clamp rearwardly when free to move.

-fIhe opposite endof the vibrating lever.98 is slotted at i132 (Fig. 5) and receives there-in a headed pin 193, the enlarged end of which is guided-bye T-slot I04 ina rocker member H15.

in'the upper surface of the cam H.

thmuehlaitr nsverse slot I I I (Fig. 5) in the upp r surfaceof "the base 2, and is connected with one end of alever H2 whichextends transversely of the 2base.'2 toa point externally-thereof, being provided with a hand knob H3 on the outer end of ,said lever, externally of the base. 7 The lever lliewedinFig..,3.

. The rocker member -I I6 is fixed on astub shaft L11 thatis journaled in a bearing bracket H8 {Fig 6) Landprojects from the lower side of ,said bearing'bracket. An arm H9 is fixed to the lower projecting end. of thestub-shaft. l H carryinga roller 120. on the free-end thereof received and guided-inn Qam groove l2l (Fi 4) formed This cam groove I21 is provided with suitable ,rises and dwells, such that the button clamp will be moved later-ally in properly timed relation Withits longitudinal lvibrations. The button clamp, preferably, is, .moved laterally when a suitable number ofi-stitches have been passed through the first pair of. holes in the button, so as to stitch through the secondpair of 110165 in a four-hole button, and then is returned toitsinitial position just before the completion of the stitching'operation. Duringrtherotation of the cam H, the cam groove .1124 will cause swingingmovement of-the arm .H9 ..to oscillate the stub shaft H1. This stub shaft-tfl .will rock the member H6 back and @forth. ,If the pin H4 is spaced from the axis of the-[stub :shaftHT, as shown in Fig. 5, thisarocking motion of the member I [6 will reciprocate the lever M2 to -move the button clamp laterally.

.Thelhand 1 nob'l I13 is provided to shift theleve V topull the button clamp toward the right .l.l .2 ingadateraldirection about the pivot pin 95,

Theroclier member 55-15 carried by astub shaft H16 journaled in a bearing bracketrlll'l (Fig. 6) .in a side of the base 2,:and projects through said bearing bracket. The projecting end of the stub shaft N16 has an arm I68 fixed thereto, carryinga roller It?) on the free end thereof guided in the so as to dispose the axis of the pin H4 either spacedfrern'or.substantially in alignment with, the axis of "the stub shaft H'I. When-sopositioned in alignrnent therewith, the rocking motion of the rocker member H6 will not transmit any longitudinal movement to the-lever l2, and, therefore, the :button clamp will not be shifted transversely-during-rotation-of the cams H and 12.. This is desirable when stitching two-hole buttons.

The lever l, l2 may be locked in its set position for :two-hole .or four-hole buttons by a thumb screw 1:2;2 threadedinto the-lever, which screw extends through aslot I23 in a cover plate I23 seoured oncthe upper surface of the base '2, as viewedin Fig, 2. Upon tightening this thumb screw 1.22, the lever H2 will be secured in its set gadjusted position with respect to the rocker member -H-6,-,and when shifted to the position shown in Fig. ,2, will be disposed substantially asgsho-wn in Fig. i 6, :whereby transverse "movement of thebutton clamp will accommodate for the stitching-.of -a :second pair-off holes in the button. Onzthe other-"hand, when the lever ll2-isgshifted to'positiongthe thumb screw I22 at theopposite end. of the-sl0't l2;3,--no transverse movementwill be-irnparted by the cam l I to the 'button clamp durine thez-stitchinscycle.

Button clamp raising and lowering The. button clamp isadapted to be raised at the completion of the stitching operation to facilitate the removal of the stitched button herefrom and the insertion of another button between the clamping jaws 90. Accordingly, the jaw holding plate 89 has secured thereto a hinge stud I24 (Fig. 1), to which is pivoted the lower end of a link I25. The upper end of the link I25 is pivotally connected with one arm of a lifter bellcrank lever I26. This bell-crank lever I26 is pivotally mounted at I21 in the arm 8 of the head, and has its other arm extending upwardly (Fig. 9) in the head arm 8 beside the rocker arm I4 in position for swinging movement free thereof.

The upper end of the bell-crank I26 is pivotally connected with a connecting strap I28 extending lengthwise in the head arm 8 and supported at one end thereof in said arm on the bell-crank lever for longitudinal reciprocating movement. The opposite end of the connecting strap I28 is pivotally connected with one arm of a bellcrank lever I29 pivotally mounted at I30 at the upper end of the head standard 1.

The other arm of the bell-crank lever I29 is connected with the upper end of a link 3I that extends downwardly through the standard 1 and through a slot in a guide plate I32 secured in the base 2 (Fig. 4). A coiled spring I33 is connected with the lower end portion of the link I3I normally tending to move the link upwardly and thereby lowering the button clamp to its lowered position on the base, as shown in Fig. 1.

The lower end of the link I3I is connected with one end of a chain I34 extending downwardly through the slot 54 in the machine bed I, to a foot treadle I35 (Fig. 3). The foot treadle I35 is pivotally mounted on a bracket I35 resting on the floor. Therefore, upon depressing movement of the foot treadle by the operator, the button clamp will be lifted from the base, such lifting motion being accomplished by the downward pull on the chain I34 and connecting link I3I, which in turn pulls the strap I28 to the right in Fig. 9, and swings the bell-crank segment I26 in a clockwise direction, which thereby pulls upward on the link I25, raising the button clamp to its elevated position.

It is noted that this lifting movement of the button clamp occurs after the machine is stopped and held in its set position, and then upon release of the foot treadle M5 by the operator, the

clamp will be lowered again to its operating position by the action of the spring I33, ready to stitch another button to the work. After this lowering movement of the button clamp, the stop motion may be released by the rearward movement of the lever 48 (Fig. 9) or thedepressing of the foottreadle (if used) attached to the chain 53. Then the operation will be continued.

Thread take-up and supply extends through a slot I 38 (Fig. 2) in the head arm 8.

Aslack take-up lever I39 is pivotally mounted at I 46 on the arm 8 and is held normally in the position shown in Fig. 2, by a spring I4I connected therewith. In this position, the take-up lever I39 bears against a stop pin I42. The stop face plate.

10 pin I42, as well as the up-turned end I43 of the lever I39, are perforated for passage of the thread therethrough. The lever I39 also has a lateral finger I44 overlapping the slot I38 in the path of movement of the pin I31, so this finger will be engaged by the pin I31 to cause swinging movement of th take-up lever I39 when the connecting strap I23 is pulled backward by the operator to lift the button clamp. The purpose of this is to draw up a new supply of thread, which will be done quickly, so as to break the thread below the button clamp and to have this additional supply of thread ready for the next sewing cycle.

The usual thread tension devices may be used as indicated generally at I45 and I46, which tension devices may be of any well-known construction and need not be described in detail.

The thread is supplied from a spool. mounted on a stand generally designated at I41 at the back end of the machine, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This stand includes a supporting plate I48 and integrally cast flaring sides I49 (Fig. l) formed in one integral piece with said plate, so as to extend over the top and down opposite sides of the pulleys 33 and 34. Thus the thread holder also forms a guard for the pulleys and belt as well as to support the thread.

The thread holder I41 is supported by brackets I50 secured upon the base 2. An upstandinghook member I5I is carried by the-stand I41 and has an eyelet in the upper end thereof in position to overlie the spool mounted on the stand for guiding the thread therefrom.

The face plate ID has the usual eyelets I 52 and I53 (Fig. 3) in the upper and lower portions thereof, and an intermediate thread guide generally indicated in Fig. 3, at I54. A thread guide as shown also at I55 projecting through a slot in the face plate I 0 and carried by the needle bar II.

Thread clamp Also mounted on the 'face plate is a thread clamp, generally designated at I56, through which the thread extends from the eyelet I52 before passing through the thread guide I54. I

The thread clamp I56 is shown more in detail in Fig. 10, and includes a bushing I51 having an end face portion secured to a stop plate I58 by set screws I59 which pass through the stop plate I58 and through the flanged portions of the bushing I51 and are threaded into the face plate II] for securing these parts rigidly to the The bushing I51 has a vertical slot I60 therethrough for receiving and guiding the thread through the clamp to a position behind the stop plate for clamping action thereagainst.

Slidably mounted in the bushing I51 is a clamping stud lEI having an end face normally spaced from the clamp stop plate I56 but in position to cooperate therewith for clamping the thread therebetween. The thread guide slot I68 is intermediate the opposite sides of the stud I6l, so as to locate the thread in clamping position. The stud is pressed normally backward away from clamping position by a coiled spring I62 sleeved thereover and interposed between the end of the bushing I51 and a collar I631 clamped on the bushing. A pin I64 is telescoped into the end of the clamping stud I6l and guided in the .collar I63 for moving the clamping stud to a clamped position, acting as a plunger therefor. A small coiled spring I is interposed between the inner end of the plunger I64 and the bottom of the recess in the clamping stud I6I to cushion the action of the plunger thereon. A hand button aecsgesa I66 isattaohed to the opposite end of thecl'ampingi stud It! for hand release action thereof. if required.

Provision is made for actuating the thread clamp Idi? automatically intimed relation. with theoperation of the machine, so that'the thread willbe clamped immediately upon the completion of the sewing cycle. I have provided; accordingly, a thread clamp push-rod I6? (Fig. l) slidably mounted in a guidel it in the headarni 8, and extending lengthwise of said arm. The push-rod- IIil extends throughthe arm 8 on the opposite side of; therocker arm I4- from the corn necting strap I28. These parts are sufficiently separated. in they. arm so as not to interfere with thejindependent operationof each. The forward end of a push-rod I51 has an up-turned abutment: portion I69 in position to engage. the plunger I64 on the thread clamping stud I GI, so as: to push the forward endv of the stud into clamping relation withthe clamp stop plate 153 andhold. the thread therebetween.

The back end-of the push-rod I? is pivotally connected with one arm of a bell-crank lever I110. pivotally mounted at ill at the upper end of the. head standard I. The other. arm of the bellcrank lever no is pivotally connected with the upperend ofa connecting link. H2 that extends downwardly through a slot in a guide plate 5753 (Fig. 4) mounted. at the under side or". the base. 2'.

Thelower end of the connecting link IlZ; carries alaterally projecting pini it disposed-inpasition to overlie an end of a thread-lock, finger I15. This: thread-loci; finger IE5 is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends-on a support Il6 carried by the base partition 23'. The opposite end of the finger I15 is beveled at its upper side andinposition to be engaged. by a. stud ill-secured to a side'of the stub shaft is, as shown in Fig. 8. l

Thus, upon the. completion of a revolution of the gear '14, and with it the cams TI and T2, the stud' Il'l will engage the beveled endof" thelock finger I15 and depress said beveled end. This action will push upward on the opposite end of the lock finger, and thereby move upward the link I12, swinging the bell-crank lever I if] to impart forward pushing action to the push-rod I61. Thiswill cause a pushing action to be imparted by the offset end I69 against-theplunger I64, thereby pressing the stud Ifii forwardly against the tension of the spring I 55 to clamp the thread between the endof the stud Iiil andthe clamp stopplate I58 (Fig. 10). This will cause the thread to be clamped at the completionof the stitching-operatiom-and then upon'lifting' the button. clamp the thread will be broken below the clamp.

The location of the thread lock on the face plate, instead of on top of'the arm, as in previous machines, provides for a shorter length of thread to stretch when the lifting of the clamp breaks tightened and this. position will: be. maintained during the operation until it is desired .to reset the machine. for a. different type of button.

As shown inEigs- 2 and 5, the machine issetfor the sewing of four-hole buttons, but uponshifting the thumbscrew to. the opposite. end of. the slot I23, the lever H2 will. be moved to a. position lo.- cating the. pin H4 in axial alignment with the .stub shaft II'I. In that event. no lateral motionwould be imparted to the button clamp during the sewing operation.

Before starting the sewing operation, thematerial-is placed beneath the button clamp upon the cloth plate or underjaw 92 of. the button clamp. This should. be 'done whenthe. button clamp-ism itselevated. positionwhichwill afford. ready access. thereto for this purpose. The button is then inserted into. the clamping laws. 93-, and upon release. of. the foottreadle 135. by the operatonthe spring I33 actingon thelink. I.3I will cause the button clampto be lowered to its operating position. This will cause a return of the thread kickeofi lever I39 to the position shown in Fig. 2.

Theoperator then. swings. the hand lever 48, either. manually or by a foot treadle, if the latter, is used,. and connected with the lever. 5!. The movement of this hand lever inthe direction of. the arrow in. Fig. 9, forces thestop shaft 441 to the left in Fig. 9., against. the. tension of. the spring 43. v Thisactionmoves the. bumper. 45. out of the path of movement ofthe. member. 4'1 and frees the shaft Ell-for. rotation. The longitudinal movement of the stop shaft 40. also slides-the block 5?- forwardly,,to the left inFig. 9,.until this block is. caught and engaged by the spring;-

' pressed latch 53, where. the stop shaftAIlis held the thread under the button. This results in-a quicke d break in the thread, which is a decided improvement;

Operation in its set positidn by the 1atch.58.during'the operation. of the.- machine. This movement of the block 51 also slides: forwardly thestrap 85 to lift thestop member 82.. away from the re.- bound collar BI. r

The forward .movement' of. the shaft; 40 slides the belt shifter 36 inwardly which notonly shifts the belt from the pulley- 34-to. the pulley 33. (Fig. 4'), but also releases the brake lining 38 from the face-.ofathe pulley 33 which freesth s-pull y and the shaft connected therewith for rotation by the belt. The drive shaft 20' is then operated by the pulley 33.

The. rotation. of. thedrive shaft 21)- turnsthe eccentric. I9 to: impart reciprocating. movement tozthe. connectinggrod. I! (Fig. 9) swinging th rocking member: I4 on its pivot I6): which-,., in turn, reciprocates theneedle bar; I;.I.. through. a stroke sufficient. to direct: the: needle downwardly into the base extension 6 :f0r::cooperating,-- stitch.- ing action with .the. loo.per:2.6-that i grotatedby the main shaft 20 ornwhich. itis: mounted;

At the same time, the drive-shaft 'willoperate the worm gearing I4'I5, and the stub shaft 23, carrying the cams; II and I2; These cams cause swinging movement of the arms I08 and H9, the former; of which imparts reciprocating movement in' vibrating. action. through.- thelever 98 moving back and forth as indicated. by, the arrow in Fig; 5, to reciprocate therbuttonclamp. If a two-hole: button-is: being attached, no.transverse motion. will. be imparted; to. the. button clamp. However, if a four-hole button is-being applied; as is: indicated in. thecexampleeshown,

, a predetermineclnumber of: stitchesare placed the lever I I2 to the required position, as. indicated alternately'througlrone pair ofholesin the:sblltton; after: whichthe button clampvis shifted laterally to present'thez otherrrpair of-holes2to. the

13 needle. The stitching is continued then in this lateral position until just before the completion of the stitching cycle when the button is shifted back to the first pair of holes, the needle taking two strokes through one hole at the completion of the cycle to provide the knotting stroke in the usual manner.

The complete sewing cycle involves rotation of the cams through one revolution, whereupon the stud 70 is moved into tripping engagement with the tripping finger 61 (Fig. 8), which depress the opposite end of the tripper 65, thus pressing downward on the latch 58 (Fig. 9). This releases the latch from its engagement with the block 51 and allows the spring 43 to move the shaft 40 i'earwardly. This action simultaneously shifts the belt onto the idler pulley 34, applies a braking action to the pulley 33, by the lining 38, and moves the stop bumper 45 into the path of the stop finger 41, so that as the latter turns further, it will engage the spring 46, yieldably stopping the rotation of the shaft 20.

Simultaneously therewith the rebound strap member 85 will be moved rearwardly, allowing the rebound stop member 82 to be moved downward by the spring 84 onto the collar ill, in position to engage behind the shoulder 8| on this collar approximately simultaneously with the engagement by the stop finger 41 with the end of the stop bumper 45. This will cause the shaft 20 to be held against rebound action when its continued forward movement is restrained.

As the revolution of the cam stub shaft 13 is completed, the stud I11 will engage the beveled end of the lever I15, which will lift the opposite end of the lever and push upward on the link I12 and forwardly on the push rod I61 (Fig. l) to actuate the clamping stud l! and clamp the thread against movement.

Then upon depressing action of the treadle I35 by the operator, the button clamp will be lifted and the thread broken therebeloiv. This action will serve also to actuate the thread takeup I39, as described above. be removed or shifted to another position, ready for the sewing of another button.

The particular stitching operation need not be described more in detail because this is conventional and well-known. For like reason, the conventional features of the machine are not set forth more in detail.

I claim:

1. In a sewing machine having a rotary drive shaft, a stitch-forming mechanism actuated by the drive shaft and adapted for operation through a plurality of stitch-forming cycles, stop motion means including an arm extending transversely from and fixed to and rotating with the shaft, a stop bumper, longitudinally movable means mounting said stop bumper for movement to a position for engagement by the arm to prevent continued rotation of the shaft, manually actuated means for moving said mounting means longitudinally to position the stop bumper out of engaging position with the stop arm, and means actuated automatically upon completion of said p urality of stitch-forming cycles for moving the stop bumper longitudinally into position for engagement with the arm.

2. In a sewing machine having a rotary drive shaft, a stitch-forming mechanism actuated by the drive shaft and adapted for operation through a plurality of stitch-forming cycles, an arm extending transversely from and fixed on said drive The work may then shaft for rotary movement thereby, a rigid stop bumper, a shaft mounting said stop bumper for longitudinal movement into and out of position for engagement with the arm, means guiding said shaft for sliding movement in a longitudinal straight-line direction only, yieldable means'n'ormally tending to move the stop bumper longitudinally into the engaging .position thereof with the arm, means for holding said stop bumper out of engaging position thereof with the arm, and means actuated automatically upon completion of said plurality of said stitch-forming cycles for moving the stop bumper shaft to position the bumper for engagement with the arm.

3. In a sewing machine having a rotary drive shaft, a stitch-forming mechanism actuated by the drive shaft and adapted for operation through a plurality of stitch-forming cycles, a stop arm extending transversely from and fixed to the drive shaft, a rigid stop bumper, a shaft supporting the stop bumper, means guiding said shaft for longitudinal straight-line sliding movement only for moving the stop bumper into position for engagement with the stop arm, yieldable means connected with the shaft tending to move the stop bumper into engaging position, latch means for holding the shaft in a retracted position with the stop bumper out of engaging position thereof with the stop arm, and means operated automatically upon campletion of said stitch-forming cycles for releasing the latch means and causing movement of the stop bumper by the resilient means into engaging position.

4. In a sewing machine having a rotary drive shaft, a stitch-forming mechanism actuated by the drive shaft and adapted for operation through a plurality of stitch-forming cycles, a stop arm extending transversely from and fixed on the drive shaft, a rigid stop bumper, a shaft supporting the stop bumper and slidably mounted for longitudinally moving said bumper into an en-- gaging position of abutment with the end of the stop arm, yieldable means connected with the bumper shaft tending to move the stop bumper longitudinally into the engaging position, latch means for holding the bumper shaft in retracted position, and means operatively connected with the drive shaft for releasing the latch means upon completion of said plurality of stitch-forming cycles.

5. In a sewing machine having a rotary drive shaft, a stitch-forming mechanism actuated by the drive shaft and adapted for operation through a plurality of stitch-forming cycles, a stop arm extending transversely from and fixed to the drive shaft for turning movement therewith in a transverse plane, a rigid stop bumper, a shaft supportin the stop bumper for longitudinal movement into and out of the plane of movement of the stop arm, resilient means connected with said bumper shaft tending to move said shaft and bumper longitudinally to an engaging position in the plane of the stop arm, a latch for engaging and holding the shaft in a retracted position with the stop bumper out of engaging position, and means actuated by the drive shaft upon completion of said plurality of stitch-forming cycles for releasing the latch means and causing movement of the stop bumper to an engaging position.

6. In a sewing machine having a rotary drive shaft, a stitch-forming mechanism actuated by the drive shaft and adapted for operation through a plurality of stitch-forming cycles, a stop arm extending transversely from and fixed. to the 2,5 eager-s14 drive: shaft. for I rotation inartransverse plane therewithna: rigidzstoprbumper, a shaft. support ing; the stopibumper for longitudinalmovement into and-out of the. plane of; rotation of. the stop arm; resilient. means connected with saiclxbumper shaft tending:v to 'move the. stop bumper. into engaging-position with the stop arm, a blockfixed to thebumper shaft, a latch in position toengage the block to. hold. therbumper shaft inretracted position, feed cam means: operatively connected with the: drive. shaft'for actuation thereby, and means actuatectby the feed cam means. upon completion= -of'said plurality. of stitch-forming cycles for releasinglthelatch means and causing movement of the stop bumper to an engaging positiom 7.. In a sewing machine, the combination. of an. enclosed base, a. drive shaft journaled in. the base; stitch-forming: mechanism actuated by; the driveashaft and'ad'apted for operation throughja plurality of stitch-forming. cycles, shaft stop means, arshaft connected withthe: stop means andmovable into. and. out-of: an actuating...p.osition, means for holding. the stop? meansv out. of stopping position, resilient: means. for urging the 'stop m'eans. into. an operative' position, .means for moving said stopmeans out of stoppingflposi- 8'. In a sewing machine, the combination. 0 ane'enc'losed base, a driveshaft. journaled in the base'gstitch-forming mechanism actuated by'the drive shaft-and adapted for operationthrough: a plurality-of stitch forming cycles; astopimember fixed' on the driveshaft for rotation. there with, a. stop: bumper, a: shaft. supportingthe stop bum-per for longitudinal movement. into. and-i out of amactuating. position for engagementby' the stop; member; resilient means for urging the stop bumper into an operative"position-, 'latch means for'holdingIthe sto ibumper out of engagingposition, meansoperated automatically upon 'completion ofsaid plurality of stitch-forming'cycles to release the latch means and permit movement of the stop bumper to an'engaging position', andalever connected with the stop bumper and extending upwardly through the enclosed base to a point externally thereof in position for manual actuation for movingsaid stop bumper out of engaging. position 9; In a sewing machinathe combination of. a driveshaft, stitch-forming mechanism. actuated by said driveshaft and adapted to be operated through a plurality of stitch-forming cycles, a driving member connected with the drive shaft for operating, said shaft, movable means for blocking continued rotation. of the drive shaft, resilient means for urging the 'blocking means into arrinoperativeposition; latch means forholding the blocking means inthe inoperativepositionj and-means connected with said blocking means and actuated-therebyfor applying braking action :to the drivingqmember upon: actuation of theblocking means to stopjthe rotation. of the shaft 10-. Ina'sewingmachine'having adrive shaft,'a

stitch formingmechanism. actuatedjbythe drive shaft and. adaptedfor operation through a plue ralityof stitch forming. cycles, a: driving pulley fixed to the drive shaft, blocking means for. the drive shaft a shaft supporting the blocking means for. longitudinally moving. said blocking means into and out of a blocking position, resilient means foryurging said blockingme-ans to to. inoperative position..- latch meansfor holding the blocking means in, the inoperative position, a belt shifter'connected with said blocking shaft and: movable thereby to shift'the belt out of driving" position:- with the pulley uponmovement of the blocking; means to a-blocking position, and means connected-with said blocking shaft for applying braking-action. to the pulley upon movement of the blockingmea-ns'to a blocking position.

11. In asewing-machine having a drive shaft, a stitch-formingmechanism actuated by the-drive shaft and adapted for operation; through a; plurality of stitchrforming cycles; blocking means for stopping said drive shaft and mounted for longitudinal. movement into and. out of blocking position, a rebound' collar fixedito the'drive shaft and spaced. apart from the blocking means, a reboundstop member in .positionto; engage saidcollar, andlongi-tudinally moving means for causmg disengagement of. the stop. member with. the collar: upon'nmovement of the blocking means from a blocking position during rotation of the drive shaft.

12. In a sewingimachinehavinga drive'shaft, astitch-forming? mechanism: actuated by" the drive shaft andadapted for operation. through 'a plurality of: stitch-forming cycles, means oper ated automaticallyupon completion of "said plurality of stitch-forming.cycles for "blocking con.- tinuedrotation of the drive shaft, a rebound stop collar fixed to the drive: shaft and-1 having shoulder thereon, said rebound: 'stop collarbeing spaced apart" from the blocking means, a rebound stop member in: position'to engage" the shoulder of said stop collar, a- ;positioning strap connected with the'bl'ocking meansiand'operated thereby normally holding: the rebound stop" member out of engagement'with the. stop coll'ar'and longitudinal'ly movable with the: bl'ockin'gmeans to cause engagement ofthe stop'member with the shoulder to hold" the drive shaft against rebound movement upon blocking the" continued forward movement of the drive shaf-tl WILLIAM T. MAX-ANT.

REFERENCES CITED Thelfollowing references: arevof record inv the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS. 

